Rabat – Morocco’s King Mohammed VI sent a letter of condolences on Saturday to the Vatican’s Pope Francis following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
In the message, King Mohammed VI said he “learned with deep sorrow the news of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.”
The King further expressed in the letter to Pope Francis, Christian communities, and the catholic church, his “deep condolences and sincere feelings of compassion.”
The announcement comes on the same day as the Vatican announced that Former Pope Benedict XVI passed away at the age of 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
The former Catholic pope is the first in over six centuries to step down from his position. He had been struggling with poor health.
On December 28, Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for his predecessor, saying that he was “very sick.”
The Vatican’s Press Director Matteo Bruni issued a statement announcing the news.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” the statement read.
Pope Benedict had stayed at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican since stepping down as pope. He had promised to stay “hidden” after his “unorthodox” decision to step down from his position.
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